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An observational study of the prevalence of anaemia in clinical AIDS, immunological AIDS And HIV infection in Maiduguri, north eastern Nigeria
Abstract
Aim: To deterime the prevalence of anaemia in patients with clinical AIDS.
Methodology: A retrospective small observational study of the prevalence of anaemia in 114 patients with confirmed HIV/AIDS seen at the department of medicine of the university of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital between January, 2002 and June, 2004 are reported.
Results: One hundred and three (90.4%) patients had anaemia and only 11 (9.6%) did not have anaemia. Forty one (36%) patients had immunological AIDS and anaemia was seen in 39 (95.1%) of them with median haematocrit of 31 %± 4.7SD. Thirty-four (29.8%) had clinical AIDS and anaemia was seen in 31 (91.2%) of them with median haematocrit of 32.5% ± 6.1SD. Thirty-nine (34.2%) had HIV infection and anaemia seen in 33(84.6%) of them with median haematocrit of 35% ± 7.4SD. Regression of anaemia and opportunistic infection showed a positive correlation (p-value = 0.003).
Conclusion: The study shows that anaemia is a common finding in patients with HIV/AIDS with opportunistic infection being the most likely contributing factor in our environment. A large collaborative observational cohort study design and a prospective follow up design is necessary to address questions regarding causal relationship of anaemia and survival and whether HAART may have a positive impact on reducing the prevalence of anaemia in HIV/AIDS patients.
Keywords: prevalence, anaemia, HIV/AIDS
Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 8(1) 2005: 12-15
Methodology: A retrospective small observational study of the prevalence of anaemia in 114 patients with confirmed HIV/AIDS seen at the department of medicine of the university of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital between January, 2002 and June, 2004 are reported.
Results: One hundred and three (90.4%) patients had anaemia and only 11 (9.6%) did not have anaemia. Forty one (36%) patients had immunological AIDS and anaemia was seen in 39 (95.1%) of them with median haematocrit of 31 %± 4.7SD. Thirty-four (29.8%) had clinical AIDS and anaemia was seen in 31 (91.2%) of them with median haematocrit of 32.5% ± 6.1SD. Thirty-nine (34.2%) had HIV infection and anaemia seen in 33(84.6%) of them with median haematocrit of 35% ± 7.4SD. Regression of anaemia and opportunistic infection showed a positive correlation (p-value = 0.003).
Conclusion: The study shows that anaemia is a common finding in patients with HIV/AIDS with opportunistic infection being the most likely contributing factor in our environment. A large collaborative observational cohort study design and a prospective follow up design is necessary to address questions regarding causal relationship of anaemia and survival and whether HAART may have a positive impact on reducing the prevalence of anaemia in HIV/AIDS patients.
Keywords: prevalence, anaemia, HIV/AIDS
Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 8(1) 2005: 12-15
